Need help for a resume from the IT guys and other ppkl wrking in computers

[Solaris17]

Hey guys i need some help....so im updating/remamking my resume...and well i have computer skills to sound totally unmodest but do to my fam history and money trouble iv never actually got a certification or taken a class or paid to take a test because i never had the $$ i was wondering if any of you knew a FREE site or w/e were i could take a test answer a few ?'s and print out a certification it doesnt need to be A+ or .net or anything those arent free anyway but any cert will do and i want as many as possible simply as a rough way to show my skill level is their anyway?

[DanTheBanjoman]

First of all, if you spell like that in your resume you won't get far. Second, I doubt something you printed at home will be worth anything. Start with the obvious, previous jobs, education, list what you can do (even if it's just from a hobby) Or go for some company that'll let you work and study at the same time, we got plenty of those here.

[Solaris17]

everything is worth something Dan, and i can assure you I do not spell like that on my resume. Thanks for the input though.

[Easy Rhino]

i agree with dan, they wont take some test you took on the internet. i would suggest finding a local shop that needs help and work for them for a year. build a good relationship with your boss and if you impress him/her you start looking for something a bit more challenging and use your boss as a reference. i know people who worked for small shops and then went onto a decent size tech company with not much official experience and the tech company paid for them to get some basic certifications.

[cdawall]

i agree with easy rhino

[Ravenas]

First of all, if you spell like that in your resume you won't get far. Second, I doubt something you printed at home will be worth anything. Start with the obvious, previous jobs, education, list what you can do (even if it's just from a hobby) Or go for some company that'll let you work and study at the same time, we got plenty of those here.

/agree

[d44ve]

Get your foot in the door at a small computer store and go from there

[Thermopylae_480]

I know it can be expensive, but the best thing you can do is save a little money and get some sort of recognized certification. It'll pay off in the long run. Polaris went and got his A+ cert and then went and got hired by the hospital in our hometown working with their phone infrastructure. He got something like $11.75 per hour full time, which paid off the cost of the test rather quickly. I doubt he would have gotten it without having that exam. You can say you have experience all you want, but most employers (for skilled labor) like to see some sort of concrete proof too.

[Solaris17]

Well I see thank you for the input guys. I think Im going to continue what Im doing though. I was planning on just including these certs in my resume when i applied for a local pc shop which is exactly why i wanted to get them. Seeing as how you think its a bad idea to even have a base internet cert though perhaps i asked the question in the wrong place. Its my bealive that everything helps, and weather or not its a printed internet certification doesn't matter to me the fact that its by a company and says i took a test and passed and also includes a piece of paper(also printed) saying what i was quizzed on is enough for me. Thank you anyway.

[Thermopylae_480]

If you're really going to go the internet certification route, try to find one with a reputable, well known, company. Maybe CISCO offers something?

[Solaris17]

Its not like im looking for the easy way out but i know my abilitys i just want to look good for a local PC shop im not going for anything big. and having something in my portfolio about computers other than i worked as a cashier at a supermarket looks better than nothing.

[Namslas90]

PM sent(s) :toast:

[d44ve]

Well I see thank you for the input guys. I think Im going to continue what Im doing though. I was planning on just including these certs in my resume when i applied for a local pc shop which is exactly why i wanted to get them. Seeing as how you think its a bad idea to even have a base internet cert though perhaps i asked the question in the wrong place. Its my bealive that everything helps, and weather or not its a printed internet certification doesn't matter to me the fact that its by a company and says i took a test and passed and also includes a piece of paper(also printed) saying what i was quizzed on is enough for me. Thank you anyway.



Really, you don't want to do that.... It gives you the exact opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish. All it will do is make you look like a kid who plays with computer and took a test online and now thinks he is a tech. (I am not saying thats you... )

[DanTheBanjoman]

Its not like im looking for the easy way out but i know my abilitys i just want to look good for a local PC shop im not going for anything big. and having something in my portfolio about computers other than i worked as a cashier at a supermarket looks better than nothing.

You work for a techsite, which can be something. Specially when working in a computer store. Just don't brag about such things, let them ask the questions.

[Solaris17]

How do i prove i work here? Id need a letter its not like i can walk in their log on on their comps and show them my moderator banner. that looks like just what d44ve said or you like im bragging.

[d44ve]

Send me your resume and let me take a look at it.... I will try and "tech" it up for you if you want

[Namslas90]

You probably have more desirable skills/expierence/abilities/ etc, than you think, the secret is in the wording. Fake certificates will not help they can look them up on the internet the same way you did (and have probably seen them before). CHeck your PM"S, I can help you out.

:toast:

[Solaris17]

Ill get back to you guys.........d44ve and namslas....im still working on it though.

[DanTheBanjoman]

How do i prove i work here? Id need a letter its not like i can walk in their log on on their comps and show them my moderator banner. that looks like just what d44ve said or you like im bragging.

Put it under hobbies. If they ask, answer. Filling up your curriculum is a good thing, interests and such can help. List experience with common software, ie word, excel, Windows. If they think it's relevant they'll ask questions, if not they'll just see a filled curriculum.

[d44ve]

If you want... I will get you a couple of resumes from people that applied here to give you an idea of how to go about it....

(personal information blacked out of course)

[Solaris17]

My resume

tay? Id appreciate the help in "teching it out" as you sa y im out for all the help i can get really.

[Solaris17]

bump

[d44ve]

My resume

tay? Id appreciate the help in "teching it out" as you sa y im out for all the help i can get really.


You need to add to your experience that you are proficient with all Microsoft Office applications, Any of the OS's that you know... your WPM..... ect ectt


Are you trying to get a job building computers or networking? Read some books on getting a MSCE and SQL and say you are proficient in that too...... just because you don't have a cert, doesn't mean you can put down that you are well versed in it


Also, you say you took classes.... go into detail what you were taught and any experiance with HTML. Explain why you are able to work and repair on servers. Building computers really means nothing.... you really want to hit on the server parts

[Solaris17]

Wpm?

[TUngsten]

words per minute -as in typing speed I assume

[d44ve]

correct

[TUngsten]

As far as your resume goes, you need to fix all the spelling and punctuation errors. Spell check won't pick up the misspelled career (carrier) and college (collage). Rule 1: make sure the 1st line of your resume/letter of interest/etc. is error-free.

If you must do an "intent" line, you should tailor that to the specific location/job you are interested in, like if you're applying for a job you should reference that particular job in the intent line. I personally would skip that part altogether though, and write a letter of introduction/interest to accompany your resume.

Above your current job/history, start w/ your education (Graduated 2007 w/ coursework in IT apps, web design, or something).

Follow that with your skills, listing what software/hardware/platforms/whatever you're proficient in.

The best advice I could give you is to go to college, or take some courses at a CC and start to work toward a degree if you're not able to get into college.

I'm not an IT guy by any stretch so I can't help you there, but the most important aspect of a resume is content - and if you haven't got any, you need to start getting experience in whatever field you want to specialize in immediately.

[Solaris17]

Ok update im still working on it. thnx for all the help so far.

[craigwhiteside]

ey solaris :), i took cisco A+ and am currently taking the CCNA :) i think this is a very good path to go down, since networking is gonna be here to stay :cool:

Edit: Here's my scores in CCNA im currently getting :D

[craigwhiteside]

srry try the attachment again :P

[btarunr]

I wish you lived in my city. All I had to do was pay the fee, take a test (piece of cake), next day I got my certifications.


You must attempt a decent platform-centric qualification like the MSCE or RHCE. They carry lot of weight. Easy and legit.

[niko084]

Always put personal experiences, knowledge, add in you are an active member of this forum... A lot of that kinda stuff when its related helps. It was enough to get my un educated friend a job at 34k a year + bonus and already offered a promotion.

[yogurt_21]

Ok update im still working on it. thnx for all the help so far.

your previous employment is really going to drag you down, instead, dont list ANY of those, saying you worked at mcdonalds is really going to stereo type you.

For emplyment history sice you're going for a tech job list your position here. for a secondary employment list your volunteer tech work, it still counts.
putting all of your skills in your "experience" and "other/technical" spots will most make them not be seen. list them as employment instead. next the other/technical section is far too muddy and will most likely be skipped when someone looks at your resume (especially with it at the bottom). meaning all they'd see right now, is your work history which doesn't have any relevance to the jobs you're applying for.

take a look at my resume and you'll get the idea. make specific resume's for specific jobs, be it basic IT, network, etc. and A+ certification can really go a long way, as will any microsoft/cisco. i found that net+ is easily overrided by those who took the longer/harder microsoft test, and being that they cost the same.... you might as well got the microsoft way.

[W1zzard]

horrible formatting in your review. if you say you can do word, your resume should reflect that :)

personally i dont think you should list your past pay

if you need a letter of reference, if someone wants to see one, send me what i am supposed to write (within reason ofc) and i'll get it back to you signed

here's part of mine to get some ideas for formatting and layout and how to list your skills
http://img.techpowerup.org/071212/Capture1288.gif
check if you like the font garamond better than times new roman. if you have multiple pages make sure you have a small footer with your name and page number in case pages get seperated

[WhiteLotus]

dude- no idea if guest can download your CV but edit you phone number and address

[peach1971]

Btw: It´s SpinRite, not Spin right.

My favorite font: Accidental Presidency http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=750
Use Open Office / install pdf writer plugin for Office and save your document as *.pdf. :)

[Paulieg]

I think you need a different template for your resume. You should try the MS office site for template downloads. Also, it may be a good idea to leave out the more obscure software you're proficient at, and reference to "overclocking". From my experience, local PC shop owners are funny about this, and think this means you're some kind of PC "mad scientist", who will fubar other peoples systems. Ignorant on their part, but still true.

[lemonadesoda]

Learning to write a good CV takes some time and some experience. While there are quite a few tips here, the real trick is to read LOTS of good ones, learn a few rules, and THEN start to draft your own.

The best $5 you'll spend is to buy a book on how to write a CV / Resume / Biography.

A great looking CV without qualifications will be PERCEIVED to represent a better individual than an individual with qualifications but a sh*tty looking CV.

P.S. Your spelling is so bad it makes you look sloppy. I would never hire a sloppy guy no matter how "clever" he was.

[yogurt_21]

so any updates?

[imperialreign]

thought I'd also point out - if you've ever done any volunteer or charity work, you can list that too - especially if you have a contact reference or otherwise, and it was a routine (once a week, every other day, etc) thing.

also, certain background experiences or character references can sometimes make a difference - i.e. if you were a Boy Scout when you were younger, especially if you were in scouts for 4+ years - the Boy Scouts is very well known for many different aspects, and if you achieved a high rank, note that , too (BTW, if you were in Scouts and you made Eagle - defi put that down!)

Although you might not have the skills or certifications just yet - if your resume reflects that you're a dedicated person, and shows a willingness to learn or get your foot in the door - someone might find an entry level position to help you out.


some other ideas - you might possibly look into getting a job at Circuit City or Best Buy in their 'fix-it' department; they might have a entry level, no experience necessary position.

check with local repair shops for any volunteer (apprentice) positions. Usually, apprentice positions don't require prior experience, but many don't pay, either. You'll at least be working somewhere, with a title, and picking up some necessary experience.


Check with local community colleges, too, for any certification courses they may offer. If so, it might be worth saving the money needed to take one/two course(s) to earn a certification in keyboarding, MS Office, WIN OS, etc. Although you won't be looking into a degree, you would be able to earn a certificate at course completion.

On the subject of school - look into financial aid and scholarships/grants. Financial aid can be had that doesn't require you to pay back the loan until 6 months or so after graduation, and with generally low interest rates. You might even qualify for a Pell Grant, which is free money given to you to go to school, and doesn't require repayment. Scholarships can be had for just about anything nowadays, especially if you're willing to do a little hard work. Grants are a little harder to come by, but once in school, if you can keep your grades real high - you might receive state and local grants for finishing a semester with a high GPA. If you have a chance, stop by a local community college and see if you can speak to a counselor, they'll be more than willing to help you out, and see if there are any options that would be great for you and your situation.
I've come from a fairly rough financial background, also, but I was able to get the ball rolling, and I kept my grades up. All the money I recieved from grants or scholarships was put aside to pay off the Stafford Loan once I graduated.

[Solaris17]

KK sounds good guys..ill chage some of that stuff...and ill post it back up.